Garment for feminine wear



Feb. 11, 1958 M. HALSTEAD GARMENT FOR FEMININE WEAR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Aug. 24. 1954 75 INVENTOR HALSTEAD MARIAN.

ATTORNEY Feb. 11, 1958 M. HALSTEAD GARMENT FOR FEMININE WEAR Filed Au24, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR MARIAN HALSTEAD ATTORNEY Feb. 11,1958 M. HALSTEAD GARMENT FOR FEMININE WEAR 5 Shee'ts-Sheet 3 Filed Aug.24, 1954 INVENTOR MAR|AN HALSTEAD BY M9 1w 4 ATTORNEY Unitid tentGARMENT FOR FEMININE WEAR Marian Halstead, New York, N. Y. ApplicationAugust 24, 1954, Serial No. 451,891

4 Claims. (Cl. 2-30) This invention relates to a garment for femininewear. Such garment, as hereinafter specfically disclosed, is especiallywell suited for feminine figures requiring a minimum of figure controland permits maximum freedom of bodily movements without adverselyaffecting the form fitting, non-wrinkling contour of the garment on thewearer. More specifically, the invention incorporates lightness ofconstruction in a womans garment with comfortable body control andsmooth fitting lines to enhance posture and figure appearance.

It is a specific object of this invention to provide an extremelylight-weight garment for feminine wear having .a waist encirclingportion contoured to fit smoothly over the hips of the wearer withoutcutting and further having a bust supporting portion associated with thewaist encircling portion so constructed and designed as to permitmaximum freedom of body movement while retaining smoothness of fit ofthe garment over the anatomy and comfortable control of the body curves,such garment beingwell suited for use with stocking supporting, ifdesired.

7 It is further object of this invention to provide a garment having aform fitting waist encircling portion passing above the hips withoutcutting into the flesh and muscle tissue associated therewith andincluding a crotch portion and sectionalized rear flap seat with thecrotch portion so constructed and designed in its juncture with thewaist encircling portion and the flap seat as to alleviate cutting ofthe leg tendons of the wearer and thus promote comfort and bodilyfreedom of movement for the wearer whether or not the garment is usedfor stockingsupport.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a femininegarment offering extreme snugness of fit for improved figure appearanceand posture, such garment having a waist encircling portion and bustsupporting portion interrelated to insure bosom uplift and support 7action, and also having an improved crotch structure carrying a rearflap seat so designed as to alleviate leg tendon cutting.

Still further objects and purposes of the invention reside in theprovision of a garment suitable for low cost mass production andoffering to the wearer comfortable control of body curves and smooth,non-wrinkling contour fitting without cutting into the anatomy at any ofthe scams or edges of the garment.

Other objects and advantages of the instant invention will be readilyapparent from the specific description set forth hereinafter, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a view of a garment according to one modification of theinvention showing a rear side view thereof as it appears on the wearer;

Figure 2 is a front side view of the garment as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear side view of a garment similar to that shown inFigures 1 and 2, as especially designed for beach- Figure 4 is a view,in side elevation, of a garment embodying the features of the instantinvention and showing the flap seat in open position and a halter strapbra;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the garment specifically illustrated inFigures 1 and 2, showing the contour and cut of the individual pieces offabric which are joined together in the production of the garment;

Figure 6 is a front elevational view showing the individual pieces, asshown in Figure 5, in fully assembled relationship ready to be worn;

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are front side views illustrating variations of thebasic garment construction as shown in Figures 1 through 6 especiallysuited for beachwear use;

Figure 10 is a front elevational view of a further modified form of theinvention supportable independently of an attached bra;

Figure 11 is a view'in side elevation of the garment modification ofFigure 10 showing the flap seat in open position;

Figure 12 is an exploded view of the garment modification of Figures 10and 11 showing the contour and cut of the individual pieces of fabricwhich are joined in the production of the garment, and

Figure 13 is a front side view of a modified form of the garmentincorporating the figure control features of the instant invention andideally suited for use in the support of stockings.

For the most effective description of the various pieces of fabric whichare united to make up the garment of the instant invention, referencewill first be had to Figures 5 and 6 which respectively illustrate anexploded view and an assembled view of the individual fabric pieces. Inthe embodiment illustrated in these figures, a front abdominal panel 10is provided to cover the lower abdomi nal region of the wearer, suchpanel having a convexly curved upper edge 11 joined to the concavelycurved lower edge 12 of a lower chest bridging panel 13 to provide aseam curving upwardly adjacent the mid-point thereof. This seam, whenthe garment is positioned on the wearer, extends generally across thewaist and slightly above the stomach so as to preclude cutting of thegarment seam into the flesh at the waist. Thus restriction of thewearers breathing is alleviated while permitting expansion of theflexible area of the diphragm.

The edges along the sides of the abdominal panel 10 and chest bridgingpanel 13, when these two panels are joined at their edges 11 and 12,flare outwardly along lines 14 and 15 from the upper edge of the chestbridging panel to a point of maximum transverse dimension for theabdominal panel 10. A pair of side panels 16 and 17 are joined alongtheir respective edges 18 and 19 to the side flaring edge lines 14 and15 made up by the abdominal panel 10 and chest bridging panel 13. Theside panels 16 and 17 are of such a length that their respective edges18 and 19, which are joined along lines 14 and 15, terminate at theupper edge of the chest bridging panel 13 and the point of maximumtransverse dimension of the abdominal panel 10.

Belowthe point of maximum transverse dimension of front abdominal panel10, such panel tapers in width along a pair of concavely curved lines 20and 21, which lines are the garment edges which pass across the hips anddownwardly above the upper part of the thighs toward the crotch of thewearer when in use. From the lower ends of the concavely curved lines 20and 21, the abdominal panel 10 narrows along a pair of convergingconcavely curved lines 22 and 23, terminating at the ends of lines 22and 23 in a generally semi-circular lower edge 24 to be joined with acrotch section 25.

"Referring'again to the side panels 16 and 17, it will Patented Feb. 11, 1958- be observed that such panels, in position on the wearer, extend.rearwardly around the sides of the body under the arms and back of thechest cage to be joined by suitable fastening means 30 and 31 secured tothe outer free ends of the side panels. These fastening means cooperatewith .each other adjacent the small .of the back to position the garmentiniencircling relation :to the Wearers Waist. Thelower edges32 and 33.ofthe respective side panels 16 ,and 17, when such panels are joined tothe abdominal panel and lower chest :bridging panel, form continuationsof the respective .concavely curved H1165 and .21 of the abdominal panel10. Such edges 32 and Q33 and lines 20 and 21 extend from :the point ofconnection of the fastening means 30.and.3.1at:the mal a th back of :th'weareraround, over an above the ih p o th.ew. a .e ctossthe upper partof the thigh a d down a d y towa d the ro ch- These curved edges of thegarment must smoothly engage and comfortably fit a r the h p o th a e -tzinsureasai s wrink in of th fabric o e arm n and un omfo ta le sli tinof the garment edges into the wearers anatomy.

As shown more clearly in Figure .4, the seam dine 14 terminatesimmediately above the hip bone at the junction of edge 33 and line 21.To insure smooth, nonwrinkling and non-.cutting fit of the garmentacross this portion of the anatomy, a fabric fullness is provided at 35for @proper desired fitof the garment edge across the hip bone andmuscle tissue associated -,t her,ewith.

As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, fabric fullness at 34 and 35, whichrespectively engage over the .opposite hip I bones of the wearer, isprovided in the instant invention by the particular cut of the edges ofabdominal panel adjacent its point of maximum transverse dimension inrelation to the cut of side panels 16 and 17 adjacent their lower edges32 and 33. It will thus be apparent that as these panels are joinedalong the lines 14 and 15, the edges 32 and 33, as continuationsrespectively of lines and '21, will have imparted adjacent theirjunction with such lines a fabric fullness at '34 and 35. This fullnesspermits the garment to smoothly and snugly engage across the hip muscletissue which is associated with the terminus of the hip bone.

Although in the embodiment illustrated, the fabric fullness at 34 and 35has been providedby the specific cut of the panels 10, 16 and 17, itwill *be appreciated that Within the scope of the instant invention suchfabric fullness might be imparted to the garment at this particularlocation by a separate piece of fabric inserted at the junctionof theseam with the body engaging edges of the garment or by other suitableequivalent means.

Returning to the lower chest bridging panel '13, it will be observedthat the upper edge thereof has a central upstanding portion 40 formingon the opposite sides thereof breast cup receiving cut-outs 41 and 42.The upstanding portion 40 is slightly tapered so that the side edgesthereof, which form a part of the cut-outs 41 and 42, are straight andalmost vertical. These side edges curve sharply outward from the base ofupstanding portion 40 into the almost horizontal upper edge of the panel'13 to complete the breast cup cut-outs 41 and 42. Cut-outs 4iand 42,together with the upperedges 43 and .44 of the respective side panels 16and 17, form the seam line to be joined to the breast cup sections. Theform of the openings for the breast cups, together with thesectionalizcd breast cup structure as described hereinbelow has beenfound to materially contribute to bust support anduplift in the completegarment structure.

The breast cups, for connection to the upper edge of chest bridgingpanel 13 and side panels 16 and 17, are eachformed of an upper :section45 and a lower section 46. The lower sections 46each have an edge whichis sewn to one of the cut-outs '41 or 42=and an opposite edge which isjoined with a mating edge of the appropriate upper section 45 toproducebreast cup seam lines 47 and 54,8 (see Figure 6). 'Thebreast cupseam lines 47 and 48 extend outwardly, generally horizontal, with aslight rise from the side edges of upstanding portion 40 to the apex ortip of the breast cup. Thereafter the seam lines curve downwardly at anangle to the vertical to join with the ends of lines 14 and 15 formed bythe side edges of panels 10 and 13.

In the construction of the garment of the instant invention, a structurehas been achieved which insures maximum comfort and freedom of bodymovement to the individual wearer while still retaining the desired bustuplift and support to enhance posture and figure appearance; It has beenfound that the particular bust cup construction and breast cup .cut-loutform, as hereinabove described in combination with the other elements ofthe garment, insures the required breast support and uplift even in theabsence of shoulder straps being used with the garment. In the absenceof such straps, stiffening may be applied as desired to provide desiredbreast cup form. Thus, the sectional ,breast cups with two sectionsunited along a seam line disposed as lines 47 and .48, so as to extendoutwardly from the center line of the garment substantially horizontal,with .a slight rise to the .tip of the breast and thence across the.tip, turning gradually downwardly at about a sixty degree angle to thehorizontal and terminating beneath the heavy portion of the breast, hasbeen found to give .the desired results in the completed garment.Accordingly, as clearly .illustrated by several of the views on thedrawings showing the garment positioned on the wearer the seam line forthe breast cups does not terminate vertically beneath the breast butjoins with the lines 14 and 15 in the gar.- ment structure at the outerunderside of the respective breasts.

A pair of shoulder straps 49 extending over the shoulders are providedconnected between the upperr most point on the upper sections 45 of thebreast cups and the edges of the side panels 16 and ;1 7. These edges,as is apparent from the description hereinabove, extend rearwardlyaround the sides beneath the arms 9f the wearer.

Referring more specifically to the ,crotqh seeiion 3 5, it will be notedthat the section flares outwardly along a pair of concavely curved lines50 and 51 f 'grn a gen.- erally semi-circular end edge 52, which isunited with the lower edge 24 of abdominal panel .10 to a ,egnyex-lycurved end edge 53. The end edge 53 is united the fl p .seat o thegarmen wh is m de up o pair of seat panels 54 and 55,, which panels aregninedplong ,a center seam 56 to provide the flap seat for .the gannent.The opposite edges of the flap seat areenrved gutwandly along lines 57and 58 which, as continuations ,of .the edges 50 and 51 of crotchsection 25, extend upyvardly to snugly engage beneath the buttocks ofthe wearer. The flap seat narrows in width from its point of maximumtransverse dimension along a pair of converging straight lines 59 and60, the ends of which lines are joined by a curved line 61 which, on thewearer, forms thetop edge of the flap seat. The sectionalized-flap seatand its connection with the curved end edge 53 gives ,control to the fitof the seat so that it smoothly and snugly engages across the checks ofthe buttocks of the wearer and ,at the crease between the legs-andbuttocks.

Fastening means 62 are provided to cooperate with fasteners 63 carriedby the front abdominal panel 10 on the opposite sides thereof.Sirnilarsuitable fastening means 64 are provided at the opposite ends oflines ,59 and 60 of the flap seat to cooperate with fasteners 65 alsocarried by the abdominal panel 10. Intermediate the fasteners 62 and 64,along edge lines59 and 60, there may be provided additionalfasteningmeau 6 whicl1 cooperate with spaced fasteners 67 carried .bythefront abdominal panel 10.

As shown, a series of laterally spaced fasteners are provided onabdominal panel 10. It is generally desirable that some such fasteningmeans be provided on the getment since this enables adjustment of thegarment to accommodate different figure variations in the anatomy of thepersons using the garment, without alteration of the garment.

Again referring to the crotch section 25, specific attention is directedto the connection thereof with the lower end of abdominal panel 10. Asdescribed hereinabove, the generally semi-circular edges 24 and 52 arejoined to unite the crotch section with panel 10. The formation of theedges by reason of the cut of these two garment t pieces results in aformed crotch structure wherein the edges of the material 22 and 50 onone side thereof and 23 and 51 on the other side do not cut into the legtendons adjacent the forward part of the crotch but instead providesmooth comfortable fit of the crotch with the wearers anatomy, thupromoting freedom of body movement without encountering cutting of theleg tendons.

The general fit and mode of application of the assembled garment, asshown in Figure 6, to a feminine figure will be generally apparent fromthe views shown in Figures 1 through 4. From these illustrations it willbe apparent how the free ends of the side panels are fastened adjacentthe small of the back to retain the abdominal panel, lower chestbridging panel and sectional breast cups in smooth, snugly fittingrelation across the front of the figure. Also, these showings illustratethe manner in which the flap seat is connected to the fasteners providedon the front abdominal panel 10.

The appropriate positioning of stocking supporters 70 in relation to theassembled garment is shown on Figure 6 and their position when thegarment is being worn, illustrated on Figures 1 and 2. It will beappreciated that such supporters are suitably secured to the garment asby tabs sewn to the panels at the appropriate points along their edges.As desired in use the garment may be worn with or without such stockingsupporters.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a garment having the same basiccharacteristics as that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and assembledfrom similar fabric pieces as shown in Figures 5 and 6. However, inthese two figures the garment is especially designed for wear as abathing suit or for general sportswear use. Thus in Figure '3 the legencircling garment edge of the flap seat, crotch section and abdominalpanel is provided with a band or cuff 75 which may be adjustable orelasticized if desired and a decorative strip or cuff 76 sewn along theupper top edge of the garment to enhance the garments appearance whenused for beach or sportswear.

Figure 4 illustrates a slightly different beachwear garment embodyingthe structural characteristics of the instant invention employing in theplace of the straps 49, a halter or removable strap 77 and utilizingtied fastening means, indicated generally at 78, in place of the moreusual hook type fasteners which are employed in the garment illustratedin Figures 1 and 2 to fasten the flap seat 1 to the front abdominalpanel and the outer ends of the side panels to one another at the smallof the back. As in the case of Figure 3, the leg engaging edges of thegarment of Figure 4 are provided with an inelastic band or cuff 75 whichmay be adjustable or elasticized, if desired, and a decorative strip 76applied across the top edge of the garment to give an attractiveappearance to the garment for beachwear use. If will also be noted thatwith the use of a halter strap 77 in place of the shoulder straps orwhen no shoulder traps are employed, the edge line of the side panelsmay be altered to do away with the sharp bend as illustrated in Figures1, 5 and 6. Accordingly, as shown at 79, the line extending downwardlyand rearwardly from the point of connection of the shoulder strap 77 tothe tie fasteners at the back of the garment may take a generallyconcave and then convex curve to smoothly engage around the side lowerportion of the chest cage and beneath the arm of the wearer.

Further reference may be had to Figure 4 as illustrating the positioningof the edge line 21 of. abdominal panel 10 and edge 33 of side panel 17.This figure thus shows the location of the fabric fullness 35 whichinsures smooth and snug engagement of the garment as it passes overabove the hips, around the side of the wearer to the back to be securedto the other side of the garment.

Briefly referring to Figures 7, 8, and 9, such views illustrate variousmodifications of the basic garment structure for beachwear use. ThusFigure 7 suggests a flaring skirt sewn to the basic garment structurealong the upper edge of the chest bridging panel along the seam beneaththe bust cups and also sewn to the diagonally extending side seams whichextend from the underside edge of the bust cups, downwardly andrearwardly along the garment. Figure 8 illustrates the garment with anapron-like skirt 81 secured across the front of the garment and Figure 9illustrates the basic garment structure having a waist encircling belt82 used in conjunction with the basic garment. It may be noted that ingarments incorporating the novel features of the invention, made of afabric having a design, such as a plaid, stripes or other pattern, acenter seam may be provided extending through the lower chest bridgingpanel, abdominal panel and crotch to facilitate matching of the fabricpattern or design. Also, within the scope of the invention, the upperbreast cup section could be formed of fabric pieces seamed. to giveattractive fabric pattern matching.

Referring to the modification shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12, whichmodification is adapted to be worn independently of an affixed bra, itwill be observed that the front abdominal panel 88 corresponds generallyto the cut and contour of the abdominal panel 10 of the modification ofFigures 1 through 6. However, the upper edge of abdominal panel 88 isformed with a concavely curved line 89. This line provides a dip at thecenter front of the garment so that, as positioned on the wearer, thefabric edge does not tend to cut into the wearers stomach so as to beuncomfortable but instead rides slightly beneath the waistline insuringa smooth, non-wrinkling fit across the front of the garment. A pair ofside members 90 are seamed to the side edges of the abdominal panel 88and are provided at their outer free ends with cooperating fasteningmeans 91 which are adapted to be interconnected at the small of the backto position the garment in waist encircling relation to the wearer.

As illustrated in the drawings, the cut and'contour of the fabric pieces88 and 90 are so related as to provide a fullness in the garment edgeline which passes over the hip similar to the fabric fullness providedat 34 and 35 as illustrated on Figure 6. Thus, a smooth, non-wrinklingand non-cutting engagement of the garment material across the hips ofthe wearer is insured. Further along the upper edge 89 and the upperedges of side members 90, material is provided by the cut and contour ofsuch fabric pieces so as to provide a non-cutting edge which edgeextends up just beneath the wearers chest cage so that the flesh lies encased in and beneath the fabric pieces rather than rolling out and overthe edge as would be characteristic of an edge not possessing thefullness at this point in the garment. Although the desired garment edgefullness has been provided in the illustrated embodiment by the cut andcontour of the individual fabric pieces, it will be readily recognizedthat within the scope of the instant invention, such edge fullness maybe appropriately provided by insertion of a gusset or extra fabric pieceinstead of by the cut of the fabric pieces 88 and 90.

A crotch section 92 is secured to the lower edge of the abdominal panel88 and is formed similarly to the crotch section 25 describedhereinabove with regard to Figures 5 and 6. A flap seat, made up of seatpanels 93 and 94, is secured to the convexly curved end of crotchsection 92 and the two seat panels 93 and 94 sewn together along acenter seam. The sectionalized flap seat in conjunction with theconvexly curved end of the crotch section 92 gives effective control ofthe seat fit so that the flap seat smoothly and snugly engages upwardlybeneath the buttocks of the wearer.

Particular attention is called to the form of the leg engaging lines 95and 96 of the flap seat shown in Figure 12 in comparison with the legengaging. lines 57 and 58 of the flap seat illustrated in Figures and 6.The curvature of lines 57 and 58 provides a seat fullness particularlydesirable for formation of a garment for use as an undergarment,particularly where it is contemplated that such garment will be used forthe supporting of stockings. Thus, when the garment is used withstocking supporters, the pull of the stockings on the wearer insuresthat the leg-engaging edge lines 57 and 58 of the respective fiap seatpanels will be retained snugly down at the crease bet-ween the legs andthe buttocks. In a structure such a s-illustrated in Figure 12, the legengaging lines 95 and 96*do not possess the same fullness as lines 57and 58 sinceithas been found that with a tight inelastic band as mightbe employedin a'bathing suit or other sport wear garment, acut for theflap set such as illustrated in Figure 12 is. desirable.

Figure 12 also illustrates a further edge line change inthe cut ofthefiap seat in that it will be'noted that the lines 97 and 9 3, whichare secured to the front abdominal panel, are not-straight. as in thecase of similar lines 59 and 60 of the garment of Figures 5 and 6.Instead. in Figure 12, these li nes are curved toward the concave line99 which line extends across'the back of thewearer when the garment isin. use. A slight curvature in the cut of lines 97 and'98 isdesirably-provided where it is contemplated that the-edges will besewnto the front of the abdominal panel. It has been found thatthiscurvature, coupled with sewing ofthe flap seat edgesto the abdominalpanel along straight, generally vertical parallel lines results inbetterabdorninal' fitof the garment on the average wearer. With the ilapseat edges sewn to the abdominal panel, the center seam of the rearflapseat may be openable through provision of suitable'fastening meansto facilitate applying and removing the garment. Of course,where-detachable fasteners are used, figure variations betweenindividualwearers may be readily accommodated by utilizing differentones of the fasteners mounted onthe front of the abdominal panel.

Although variations'of the cut and contour of the flap have-beenspecifically illustrated with respect to the embodiment of Figure-12, itis to be understood that such variations areequallyapplicable to theembodiment de-" band along' edges 57 and 58, such edges preferably willbe cut and contoured similarly to the lines 95 and 96 in Figure 12-.Also where the flap seat edges. are to be sewn to the abdominal panelsuch edges will be cut and contoured such as-shown-at 97 and 98 inFigure 12.

- In Figure 13 there is shown a garment embodying features of theinstant invention'which is ideally suited for stocking supportinconjunction with desired bodycontour control and bust uplift.This'garrnent is characterized by several of. the fabric pieces thereofbeing similar to the various-elements describedwith'regardto Figures 5and-6; Accordingly, similar reference numerals are-applied to thisfigure where they have a counterpart in the embodimentof Figures 5 and6. In the embodiment of Figure 13 a front abdominal panel 85 is joinedwith the lower edge of the lower chest bridging panel. 13 and sidepanels, similar to the structure illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.However, in this embodiment the lower edge of panel SSis not connectedto a crotch section, such:crotchsectionbeing omitted. Accordingly, thea'odom'inal panel SS hangs downwardly on the wearer fitting snuglyacross the abdomen'to the end of the torso. Suitable: stockingsupp'orters" as are. carried f at appropri ate poihtslat the lower edgeof theabdominal'panel 851' Ihe form of theQinvention'illustrated inFigure 13 offers amaximum of freedom of bodily movement to the wearertogether with extreme comfort while oifering stocking support and bust,waist and abdomen control. It will be readily recognized that the basicadvantageous characteristics of the elements as described hereinabovewith regard to Figures 5 and 6 are similarly present in the garmentshown at Figure 13. Thus, the smooth, nonwrinkling and non-cutting fitof the garment across the hips, extending from the fabric fullness at 34and 35 (Figure 6), is likewise carried over into the construction of thegarment in Figure 13. Further, the improved bust cup structure,co-acting with the rest of the garment structure, results in firm butcomfortable breast support to the wearer of the garment. In this regardit is again to be noted that the brest cup seams terminate at a pointlaterally of the underside of the breast to transfer maximum lift to theheaviest portion of the bust along the seam lines extending: rearwardlyand downwardly toward the hips of the wearer.

Reference will'now be made to a preferred cut of the separate fabricpieces, i. e., as to whether such pieces are cut on the bias oronthe'straight. This relationship between the cut of the various fabricpieces has been found to result in a finished garment having ideal fiton female anatomy to conform" to the curves thereof and impartcomfortable figure control and support without wrinkling or cutting" ofthe material edges into the wearers anatomy.

In the preferred construction, the front abdominal panel is-cut on thestraight with the warp extending transversely across the width of thefabric. The lower chest bridging panel is cut on the bias if of woven orelasticized 'material to offer smooth, even fit of this panel across thelower chest cavity beneath the bust of the wearer. The side panels arecut substantially on the bias with thewarpof the material of such panelstransferring tensiontorces to the upper and lower portions of the seamlines 14 and'15 where the side panels are joined to the edges of theabdominal panel 10 and lower chest bridging panel 13.

Further, the sections 45and 46 of the breast cups are cut from thematerial so that the warp threads therein are directed in linesextending generally between the junction'of the breast cup seams withthe lines 14 and 15 and the point of attachment of the shoulder strapswith respect to section 45 and somewhat parallel to the outer edge ofcurve 41 with: respect to section 46. The crotch sectionZS maybecuteither on the bias or on the straight and the panels of the flap seatare cut generally on the bias to insure figure tit and sung engagementof the seat beneath and over the buttocks of the wearer.

It will be appreciated'that the reference to the specific cut ofthematerial in-rela'tion to each of the individual pieces of fabricutilized in making'up the garment is given merely'as a preferredconstruction of the garment. However, within the scope of the instantinvention, under certain conditions and figure variations, the cut ofthe various fabric or elasticized material pieces may be altered.

Having'thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A garment for feminine wear comprising a' front abdominal panel, alower chest bridging panel, said abdominal panel and lower chestbridging panel being joined along their respective upper and loweredges, the edges along the sides of said abdominal panel and said chestbridging panel flaring outwardly from the upper edge of said chestbridging panel to the pointof maximum transverse'dimension ofsaidabdorninal panel, a pair of side panels secured to said side edgesrespectively, said frontabdorninal panel tapering in width along a pairof'concavely curved lines below said point of maximum transversedimension and the lower edges of said side panels forming outwardcontinuations of said concavely curved lines, the junctures of said sidepanels with the side edges of said abdominal panel having a fullness ofmaterial immediately adjacent said concavely curved lines to insuresnug, non-cutting engagement of said lines across the hips andrearwardly around the back of a wearer, cooperating fastening meanssecured to the outer free end portions of said side panels for securingthe garment about the waist of a wearer, the upper edge of 'said lowerchest bridging panel having a central upstanding portion forming withthe remainder of said upper edge a pair of similarly formed breast cupreceiving cut-outs, a pair of br st cups each having an upper sectionand a lower section, said lower section being joined along one edgethereof to the edge of one of said cut-outs, the opposite edge of saidlower section being united with one edge of said upper section to form aseam extending generally horizontally from the side edge of said centralupstanding portion outwardly to the apex of the breast cup and thencecurving downwardly and laterally to the intersection of the side edgeand upper edge of said lower chest bridging panel, and said uppersection having an edge joined with the upper edge of the adjacent sidepanel.

2. A garment for feminine wear as recited in claim 1 wherein the upperedge of said abdominal panel is convexly curved and the lower edge ofsaid chest bridging panel is concavely curved so that the seam formed byjoining such edges will curve upwardly adjacent the mid point of itslength to pass above the stomach of a wearer in use.

3. A garment for feminine wear comprising a front abdominal panel, alower chest bridging panel, said abdominal panel and lower chestbridging panel being joined along their respective upper and loweredges, the edges along the sides of said abdominal panel and said chestbridging panel flaring outwardly from the upper edge of said chestbridging panel to the point of maximum transverse dimension of saidabdominal panel, a pair of side panels secured to said side edgesrespectively, said front abdominal panel tapering in width along a pairof concavely curved lines below said point of maximum transversedimension and the lower edges of said side panels forming outwardcontinuations of said concavely curved lines, the junctures of said sidepanels with the side edges of said abdominal panel having a fullness ofmaterial immediately adjacent said concavely curved lines to insuresnug, non-cutting engagement of said lines across the hips andrearwardly around the back of a wearer, cooperating fastening meanssecured to the outer free end portions of said side panels for securingthe garment about the waist of a wearer, the upper edge of said lowerchest bridging panel having a central upstanding portion forming withthe remainder of said upper edge a pair of similarly formed breast cupreceiving cut-outs, each of said cut-outs having an edge configurationformed with a generally horizontal line portion and a substantiallyvertical line portion joined at their adjacent ends with aninterconnecting concavely curved line, a pair of breast cups each havingan upper section and a lower section, said lower section being joinedalong one edge thereof to the edge of one of said cut-outs with the endsof said one lower section edge terminating at the upper end of the sideedge of said central upstanding portion and at the upper end of the sideedge of said lower chest bridging panel, the opposite edge of said lowersection being united with one edge of said upper section to form a seamline extending generally horizontally from the side edge of said centralupstanding portion outwardly to the apex of the breast cup and thencecurving downwardly and laterally to the intersection of the side edgeand upper edge of said lower chest bridging panel, and said uppersection having an edge joined with the upper edge of the adjacent sidepanel.

4. A garment for feminine wear comprising a front abdominal panel, alower chest bridging panel, said abdominal panel and lower chestbridging panel being joined along their respective upper and loweredges, the edges along the sides of said abdominal panel and said chestbridging panel flaring outwardly from the upper edge of said chestbridging panel to the point of maximum transverse dimension of saidabdominal panel, a pair of side panels secured to said side edgesrespectively, said front abdominal panel tapering in width along a pairof concavely curved lines below said point of maximum trans versedimension and the lower edges of said side panels forming outwardcontinuations of said concavely curved lines, the junctures of said sidepanels with the side edges of said abdominal panel having a fullness ofmaterial immediately adjacent said concavely curved lines to insure snugnon-cutting engagement of said lines across the hips and rearwardlyaround the back of a wearer, cooperating fastening means secured to theouter free end portions of said side panels for securing the garmentabout the waist of a wearer, the upper edge of said lower chest bridgingpanel having a central upstanding portion forming with the remainder ofsaid upper edge a pair of similarly formed breast cup receivingcut-outs, a pair of breast cups each having an upper section and a lowersection, said lower section being joined along one edge thereof to theedge of one of said cut-outs, the opposite edge of said lower sectionbeing united with one edge of said upper section to form a seam lineextending generally horizontally from the side edge of said centralupstanding portion outwardly to the apex of the breast cup and thencecurving downwardly and laterally to the intersection of the side edgeand upper edge of said lower chest bridging panel, and said uppersection having an edge joined with the upper edge of the adjacent sidepanel, a crotch section having one end joined to the lower edge of saidabdominal panel and flaring outwardly from its junction with saidabdominal panel, a flap seat secured to the 0pposite end of said crotchsection, said flap seat comprising a pair of similar seat panels joinedalong adjacent side edges and having convexly curved outward side edgesto engage around an beneath the buttocks of a wearer in use, andcooperating fastening means carried respectively by the outer free endsof said seat panels and at laterally spaced positions on said abdominalpanels to enable detachably connecting the ends of said seat panels tothe abdominal panel in positioning the garment on a wearer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,954,526 Holahan Apr. 10, 1934 2,060,689 Read Nov. 10, 1936 2,335,430Metz Nov. 30, 1943 2,561,783 Burr July 24, 1951 2,691,166 Roth Oct. 12,1954

